‘Companies are making these products look and smell sweet like candy.’

As Halloween approaches, Tobacco-Free Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany (TF-CCA) is calling out the tobacco industry’s continued use of candy flavors and packaging to lure kids to addiction. E-cigarettes, nicotine pouches and cigarillos come in sweet flavors and colorful packaging that imitates popular candy brands. These added flavors make starting tobacco use easier and quitting even harder.

“To protect public health, especially for youth, the 2009 Family Smoking and Tobacco Prevention Act banned the sale of cigarettes with ‘characterizing’ flavors other that tobacco or menthol,” says Jonathan Chaffee, Reality Check Youth Coordinator for TF-CCA. “However, other flavored tobacco products have remained on the market and become much more prevalent in the years since, including smokeless tobacco, little cigars and cigarillos, e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches, which are sold in an array of flavors in addition to menthol cigarettes.”

“Vampire Kiss, Tropical Fusion, Rainbow Custard and Strawberry Shortcake…they all sound like tasty Halloween treats, but they are actually flavors of tobacco and nicotine products that attract and addict youth,” says Dr. Maansi Bansal-Travers, Tobacco Control Outreach Program Director at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. “Big Tobacco’s flavor tricks are a key reason why teens in our community are vaping and using nicotine products. Companies are making these products look and smell sweet like candy.”

More Big Tobacco Tricks

Introducing new and limited-edition flavors.

Tobacco companies regularly increase their flavor offerings to attract new users and feature limited-edition or seasonal flavors like “Summer Fusion,” “Harvest Blend,” or “Spiced Rum.” These flavors are driving youth use. In fact, a study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that over 80% of high school and middle school students who use e-cigarettes use flavored products, with fruit, candy/desserts/other sweets, mint and menthol reported as the most popular flavors.

Emphasizing flavors in advertisements and colorful imagery on packaging.

The packaging and other marketing of flavored tobacco products emphasize flavors with bright colors and enticing descriptors like “Icy Wintergreen,” “Sweet Apple,’ and “Refreshingly Bold Citrus.”

Paying to place them strategically in retail environments.

Displaying flavored tobacco products on countertops near candy is a deliberate marketing tactic used by the tobacco industry to be more visible and easily accessible to youth. They pay a big price for this premium shelf space.

Are your kids bringing home a Big Tobacco trick or a Halloween treat? TF-CCA urges parents to beware of candy-flavored e-cigarettes, cigarillos and nicotine pouches this spooky season and beyond.

NYS Quitline is available to help.

Anyone who lives in New York State may contact the NYS Quitline by calling 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487). They can also visit nysmokefree.com to reach a specialist through an online chat, request a call-back or order free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) medications. The NYS Quitline additionally offers a variety of free texting programs for those seeking help at their fingertips. Learn2QuitNY and Vivir Sin Tobaco Es Vida (culturally tailored for Spanish-speaking communities) provide daily texts and weekly goals; text QUITNOW or DÉJELO YA NY to 333888 to register. The NYS Quitline’s latest texting service, ‘Drop The Vape’, supports young people and young adults in their efforts to overcome nicotine addiction. Registration and more information is available at DropTheVape.com.

Allegany County residents can get local help quitting by contacting the Allegany Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, Inc. (ACASA) at 585-593-1920 ask for Ann.